Ehud Barak

Barak received the Medal of Distinguished Service, Israel's highest military decoration, for his actions during the Yom Kippur War. He led a commando raid deep into Egyptian territory, destroying radar installations. This was part of a broader operation to open a supply route.

As Chief of Staff, Barak planned and oversaw the Entebbe raid, a rescue of hostages hijacked by Palestinian and German militants in Uganda. Israeli commandos rescued 102 hostages. The operation was a major military success and boosted Israeli morale and international standing.

Barak was appointed the 14th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. He served until 1995, overseeing military operations during the First Intifada and the Oslo Accords period. His tenure included the 1993 Operation Accountability in Lebanon.

Barak was elected Prime Minister of Israel, defeating incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu. He campaigned on a platform of peace negotiations and domestic reform. His government pursued the Camp David Summit with Palestinians and withdrew from southern Lebanon.

Barak participated in the Camp David Summit with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and U.S. President Bill Clinton. The summit aimed to reach a final status agreement but failed. Barak offered territorial concessions that were rejected. The failure contributed to the Second Intifada.

Barak ordered the unilateral withdrawal of Israeli forces from the security zone in southern Lebanon, ending 18 years of occupation. The withdrawal was completed in May 2000. Hezbollah claimed victory, and the move was criticized by some as a retreat under fire.